Chapter 87: The Ancient Lin Basin

The vast, desolate gray-black plains pressed down with an endless sense of oppression, one that newcomers could scarcely endure. It had been two days since Lu Han left Peace Town, and, as expected, his departure passed unnoticed. In fact, the town was nearly deserted; most had gone off in pursuit of the ill-fated third son of the Sun family. Not only was Sun's third son gravely wounded, he had lost both his elder brothers. Now, hunted by the entire population of Peace Town, his only crime was possessing a rare profound-level martial skill—a coveted treasure among post-Heaven cultivators.

But none of this concerned Lu Han anymore. He was solely focused on finding the Soul-Stealer Mink, hoping to learn of or barter for the creature or its blood at the ancient Lin Basin. Yet he knew such a transaction would be anything but easy.

According to the proprietor of the Ten Thousand Flavors Pavilion, the ancient Lin Basin was the only place on the Chaotic Soul Plains free from conflict. Spanning dozens of miles, it had become the base for many great clans and sects, as well as some innate cultivators who made it their home.

Those clans and sects jointly decreed that anyone entering the Lin Basin must refrain from violence. Any violation would be met with the combined wrath of all factions. It was common knowledge that anyone whose cultivation surpassed the third level of the innate realm would find their powers suppressed upon setting foot in the Chaotic Soul Plains. With the combined pursuit of the clans and sects, escape was nearly impossible.

The Lin Basin lay deep within the plains, not on the outskirts. The journey from Peace Town to the basin would take Lu Han four or five days at his current pace, and he had scarcely paused along the way.

…

Outside the Lin Basin.

A figure clad in purple, her graceful silhouette wrapped in fitted attire, three thousand strands of dark hair cascading to her waist, stood beside an elderly woman. Though her face was veiled in purple, her presence was unmistakable. This was Princess Qingcheng, newly arrived in the Chaotic Soul Plains, accompanied by Elder Hua.

“Princess, should we notify the palace guards at our base?” Elder Hua glanced anxiously at the Lin Basin behind them.

That place was not easy to enter; rumor had it that most who ventured in never returned. Elder Hua could not help but worry.

“No need. Most at the base are from the three families; their arrival would only complicate matters,” replied Princess Qingcheng calmly.

Elder Hua hesitated, about to speak.

“If you have something to say, Elder Hua, do not hold back,” Princess Qingcheng seemed to anticipate her thoughts.

“Forgive my boldness, Princess, but must you go so far for the second prince?”

The question had long weighed on Elder Hua’s heart.

The current emperor of Great Xia had many concubines; the three princes and the princess were born to different mothers. Though the second prince enjoyed a sterling reputation in the capital and bore the appearance of a future emperor, the princess need not go to such lengths for him—especially venturing alone into the Chaotic Soul Plains. The third prince’s mother was the younger sister of the head of the Lü family, one of the five great families of the capital, rendering the struggle for the crown far from simple.

“Ah, Elder Hua, you know that for years the Tiangang Sect has grown powerful, poised to become the foremost sect of Great Xia. To placate them, my father arranged a marriage alliance, bestowing my hand upon the young master of Tiangang Sect,” Princess Qingcheng sighed.

Raised in the palace, she had long seen through the emptiness of her parents’ unions. Her mother and the other concubines shared no true affection with the emperor; they were merely princesses married off for alliances. Now it was her turn, but she refused to accept it. Murong Qingcheng would choose her own husband!

“My relationship with the second prince is close. Helping him is but one aspect. He knows I do not wish to wed into Tiangang Sect, but I lack any voice in the matter. If I aid him in claiming the crown prince’s title, he will plead for me before our father—perhaps there is hope. If we obtain the Demon-Breaking Sword, surely the old sword king will support him. It is said that the Demon-Breaker once advised the sword king; perhaps that is why he has long coveted the sword. Even my father must weigh the sword king’s words carefully,” the princess declared, wisdom gleaming in her eyes.

Unable to alter her father’s decree herself, she sought another to change it. Her marriage could not be dictated by a mere edict; if her brother became crown prince, his voice would carry weight, for he would be the heir to Great Xia.

Elder Hua sighed. Having spent a lifetime in the palace, she was well acquainted with such marriage alliances. If the princess had not spoken personally, she would never have known the depth of her aversion. The princess was striving to change her fate in her own way.

“In that case, I will risk my life to help you retrieve the Demon-Breaking Sword from that place,” Elder Hua’s demeanor shifted, resolve steeling her voice.

…

Lu Han continued his trek across the boundless plains, occasionally passing a low hill.

“The Azurefall Sword truly is remarkable. Carrying it on my back, I am constantly cultivating along the way,” Lu Han murmured, pulling a water pouch from his storage ring and draining it in several gulps.

Water was essential; thus, Lu Han had filled more than ten pouches at the Ten Thousand Flavors Pavilion, enough to last him a month.

Suddenly, his expression changed and he put away the pouch.

On a distant hill appeared a black wolf—a common sight on the Chaotic Soul Plains. This was a Blackwind Wolf, a beast of post-Heaven ninth level, formidable enough that even martial artists of the same strength avoided it.

The Blackwind Wolf eyed Lu Han, baring its fangs, foul saliva dripping to the earth as if it had gone days without a meal.

“Awooo~”

The wolf howled, seemingly excited to have found prey.

“Beast, do you take me for your lunch?” Lu Han said lightly.

“Then I’ll knock your teeth out and feast on roasted wolf leg!”

With that, Lu Han charged forward.

The Blackwind Wolf scraped its claws beneath it, disdainful. The human before it was weaker, and in its eyes, already food.

Monsters were everywhere on the Chaotic Soul Plains, but like humans, they could not surpass the third level of the innate realm, no matter how far they grew.

This Blackwind Wolf was a post-Heaven beast, the undisputed overlord among its kind.

Lu Han summoned cold energy beneath his feet, instantly closing the distance.

The wolf sprang, disappearing from Lu Han’s sight so swiftly he scarcely saw it move—only a black blur flashed by.

Lu Han’s expression shifted; he realized he had underestimated his opponent. His protective silk garment shimmered into existence.

“Rip!”

A sharp pain struck his back; the wolf had circled behind him, its forepaw slashing across his spine.

Had Lu Han not activated his Heavenly Garment technique in time, he would have suffered greatly.

“So fast!” Lu Han pushed off the ground, retreating rapidly.

Now he noticed four spinning wind whorls beneath the wolf’s feet.

“Boy, this Blackwind Wolf carries a trace of wind attribute, so its speed far surpasses yours. Be careful, don’t let yourself stumble at the hands of such a minor beast,” Elder Ling advised.

Lu Han had simply underestimated his foe. The wolf was quick, but its strength lagged behind; it hadn’t even pierced his protective garment. With his current physical resilience and defensive silk, even an innate cultivator of first level could not claim easy victory over him.

Without hesitation, Lu Han began forming seals, his five fingers merging into a palm as an imposing aura burst forth. Sensing danger, the wolf snarled, transforming into a bolt of black lightning that shot toward him.

“Swish!”

“So, the back again?” Lu Han muttered.

As expected, his back was once again targeted by the wolf.

“Star-Shattering Palm!”

Lu Han roared.

He spun, striking the wolf’s waist with a mighty blow—known as the weakest point in a wolf’s body.

“Bang!”

The Blackwind Wolf was sent sprawling to the ground.

“I told you, today I dine on wolf leg!”

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